Minister in the Presidency, Jeff Radebe, congratulated the Durban University of Technology’s journalism students during a National Cabinet meeting last week, after they wrote exceptional essays that won the recent Drum magazine’s Nat Nakasa essay writing competition.

The writing competition was an initiative by the Department of Arts and Culture aimed at educating youths about the country’s struggle for freedom while exposing them to the history of writing and journalism in South Africa.

The competition required students to research and study the life of the late anti-apartheid journalist, Nat Nakasa, who was recently reburied in Durban’s Chesterville’s Heroes Acre, 49 years after he being brought home to South Africa from New York.

Journalism students Sbongakonke Mbatha and Qiniso Mbili stood out from the rest of the competitors, winning internship placements and laptops. According to Mathatha Tsedu, executive director of the South African National Editors Forum, the two secured their place for internships in any South African media company they desired by winning this prestigious competition.

Mbatha, who took the first place in the essay writing competition, said she was honoured to be one of the winners tasked with the responsibility of retelling the story of such a magnificent man in the history of South Africa’s journalism. She said she was overwhelmed by the presence of great leaders in journalism during the competition ceremony, prominent writers and government officials.

Mbili’s essay titled “Finding Nat” took second place in the competition. DUT’s Journalism programme coordinator, Maud Blose, said Mbatha and Mbili made the department very proud and have both come a long way academically.

She reiterated that their hard work had paid off and were deserving of the award.
“I always tell all my students that they all have so much potential and that they must always work extra hard to seize endless opportunities that are available to them out there,” said Blose.

-Gift Nyamapfene

Pictured: Journalism students, Sbongakonke Mbatha and Qiniso Mbili are all smiles upon being chosen as winners at the prestigious competition.